ASEAN CUP A MEDIUM TO DEVELOP, STRENGTHEN HARIMAU MALAYA SQUAD - CKLAMOVSKI

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski believes that Malaysia's participation in the 2026 Hyundai ASEAN Cup opens up vital space for the development and strengthening of the national team.

He stated that the tournament, which takes place outside the FIFA international window, provides an advantage for the team to focus efforts on building squad depth ahead of upcoming major tournaments.

"The ASEAN Cup presents an important development opportunity for us. Being held outside the FIFA international window, it allows us to focus on building depth, giving emerging players international experience and strengthening the national team pathway as we prepare towards future major tournaments, including the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia,” according to a statement on the official Harimau Malaya website, Malaysia NT.

Earlier, Malaysia was drawn alongside Thailand for the group stage competition, which is scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 26.

Malaysia is placed in Group B alongside seven-time champions Thailand - a draw that offers the national team a chance to avenge their 0-1 defeat to the "War Elephants" at the Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, during the 2024 edition.

The Group B lineup was announced during the official draw ceremony for the 16th edition of the tournament held in Jakarta today.

Malaysia, winners of the championship once in 2010, will also face five-time semi-finalists the Philippines, Myanmar (two-time semi-finalists), and Laos.

Meanwhile, defending champions Vietnam are placed in Group A with four-time winners Singapore, six-time runners-up Indonesia, Cambodia, and the winner of the playoff match between Brunei and Timor-Leste.

--BERNAMA